Collectors and the British Museum
Course
In London
Description
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Type
Course
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Location
London
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Start date
Different dates available
How the great collectors of objects from the Ancient World sold or donated their collections to the British Museum.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
- Understand why so much Classical Art found its way to the British Museum- The Role of the British Museum as a Cultural Centre of Excellence- Understand the political significance of the love of Classical Art to the British.
Please bring pen and paper to make notes. A good pair of shoes for the museum visit.
Illustrated lectures, discussions, questions, visit to the British Museum.
Reviews
Course programme
We will cover the lives of Hamilton, Townley, Elgin and others, their experiences of the Grand Tour and their stay in Italy and Greece. Hamilton was British Ambassador to Naples for 36 years at the end of the Eighteenth Century and helped secure British support for the king against Napoleon. He is perhaps best known for being married to Nelson’s mistress Lady Hamilton but was a great collector especially of Greek vases, many of which he sold to the British Museum but he was also responsible for bringing the Portland Vase to England. Townley made three grand tours and collected many rare sculptures including the famous Discobolos which has epitomised the Olympic Games to many people today. Elgin was British Ambassador to Turkey from 1799 to 1803 at a crucial time during the war against France and persuaded the Turks to allow him to remove some of the beautiful Parthenon sculptures which ended up in the Museum.
Additional information
Other Classics history or art history classes. See prospectus or online for details.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details
Collectors and the British Museum